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Choosing Between Dental Veneers

Dental veneers, or laminates, are thin facades which are cemented onto the surface of your teeth with the help of composite resin. The reason for why dental veneers are very popular among dentists, and why they are very much requested, is because they can conceal just about any kind of imperfection which may be bringing your smile down. Chips can be hidden with a veneer and uneven stains can be eliminated by these laminates.

Types of Veneers

There are actually two types of veneers which your dentist can fit you with – porcelain veneers and direct veneers. Porcelain veneers, naturally, are made using porcelain and are more expensive because of that. On the other hand direct veneers are made of composite resin that is applied on the surface of the tooth, and molded into place. Depending on your budget and the need, you can opt for either of the two types.

Durability. If you need veneers which you expect will last you a lifetime, then your best bet are porcelain veneers. Porcelain is much stronger than composite resin, and can resist chipping and loosening off better. Porcelain veneers can last up to ten years with proper care and maintenance. However, if you’re only looking for a temporary solution, then direct veneers are more cost-efficient.

Aesthetics. Since veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry, patients are also concerned with how their veneers can transform their imperfect smiles into mesmerizing ones. When it comes to aesthetics, porcelain veneers have the advantage against direct veneers. This is because porcelain is more translucent, allowing it to resemble dental enamel much better. On the other hand, direct veneers are made of composite resin material which has a solid, white color when it dries.

Maintenance. Your veneers will not stay perfect indefinitely. They require proper maintenance if you want them to retain their original condition. Direct veneers are more difficult to maintain because they take up stain and can become discolored over time. While porcelain veneers are able to resist staining, that does not mean that you can eat just about anything and not worry about your veneer turning yellow. The cement used to adhere the porcelain veneer onto place can still become stained, which can lead to an ugly outlined veneer.

Cost. Porcelain veneers may cost more, but then they do last longer. However, if you only need to remedy a small chip or minor cavity, there may not be any need for porcelain veneers since direct veneer can very much suffice.